Eric Norwood (born May 24, 1988) is a former American footballdefensive end. He was most recently a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was a member of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL from 2013 to 2015. He formerly played for the University of South Carolina. During his collegiate career, he set school career records in tackles for loss (54.5) and quarterback sacks (29). With numerous conference and national honors, Norwood is one of the most decorated defensive players in SEC history and has drawn comparisons to James Harrison.[1] Norwood was considered a top linebacker prospect for the 2010 NFL Draft; he was selected in the fourth round, 124 overall by the Carolina Panthers.
Considered a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Norwood was listed as the No. 34 strongside defensive end prospect nationwide in 2006.[2]
College career
Norwood arrived at South Carolina in 2006 and immediately made an impact at the Defensive End position. In 13 games as a Freshman, he recorded 30 total tackles (9.0 for loss), 7.0 sacks, and 5.0 quarterback hurries. For his efforts, Norwood was named First-team Freshman All-American and All-SEC by The Sporting News. His 7.0 sacks tied for the team-lead, while his 5.0 hurries were tops for the team.
In 2007, Norwood asserted himself as one of the most effective Defensive Ends in college football. In 12 games, he recorded 69 total tackles (19.5 for loss), 6.0 sacks, 9.0 quarterback hurries, and 3 fumble recoveries. He was named First-team All-SEC by the league's coaches and Second-team All-SEC by the Associated Press. In a Thursday night game against a top 10 Kentucky squad, led by Heisman candidate Andre Woodson, Norwood turned in one of the most dominant single-game performances in NCAA history. He returned two fumbles for touchdowns, posted 5 total tackles (all solo and 1.0 for loss), and had two pass deflections. The two touchdowns on fumble returns tied an NCAA record.
After two stellar years at defensive end, Norwood moved to Linebacker for his Junior season in 2008. The position change did not affect his performance, as he posted 75 tackles (14.5 for loss), 9.0 sacks, 9 quarterback hurries, 2 fumble recoveries, and a forced fumble. Norwood was named First-team All-SEC by both the league's coaches and Associated Press. After South Carolina's loss in the 2009 Outback Bowl, Norwood announced that he planned to enter the 2009 NFL Draft, but later changed his mind.[3]
Norwood's decision to return for his Senior season was a beneficial one for the Gamecocks, as he helped lead the team to a 7-6 record and a PapaJohns.com Bowl appearance. In addition, Norwood broke South Carolina's all-time sack record by dropping Jevan Snead for a 5-yard loss during the Gamecocks 16-10 victory over Ole Miss. The record was previously held by defensive tackle Andrew Provence who had 26 career sacks.[4] For the 2009 season, Norwood posted 81 tackles (11.5 for loss), 7.0 sacks, 11 quarterback hurries, 3 blocked kicks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. In October 2009, Norwood was selected to The Sporting News midseason All-American team.[5] Following the conclusion of the 2009 regular season, Norwood was named a First-team All-American by the Associated Press and the Walter Camp Football Foundation.[6][7]
After being selected by the Carolina Panthers in the 2010 NFL Draft, Norwood rarely saw the field.[9] He was released by the Panthers during the 2012 preseason.
On June 10, 2013, Norwood was traded by the SaberCats, along with Michael Diaz, to the Pittsburgh Power in exchange for future considerations.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Norwood played for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL in the 2013 season, starting in the Grey Cup championship game. In 3 seasons in with the Ti-Cats Norwood amassed 114 tackles in 42 games. He was named an East Division All-Star following the 2014 season. Norwood tore his ACL while playing in the 2015 East Division Final, and while he was recovering he was released by the Tiger Cats on May 3, 2016.[10]
Saskatchewan Roughriders
On May 8, 2016, reports said that Norwood was expected to sign with the Saskatchewan Roughriders (CFL), and he officially signed with the club the following day.[11] His recovery took longer than anticipated and he only played in two games for the Riders in 2016. Following the season, at age 28, Norwood announced he was retiring from professional football.[12]
References
^Detillier, Mike (May 30, 2009). "SEC getting better at linebacker". Houma Today.
^"Ticats release Norwood; Esks drop Grigsby". TSN. 2016-05-03. Retrieved 2016-05-04.
^"Eric Norwood signs with Riders". CFL.ca. 2016-05-09. Retrieved 2016-12-07.
^"Riders' Norwood retires after four seasons". CFL.ca. 2016-12-06. Retrieved 2016-12-07.
External links
South Carolina Gamecocks bio
Hamilton Tiger-Cats bio
August 23, 2023
eric, norwood, born, 1988, former, american, football, defensive, most, recently, member, saskatchewan, roughriders, canadian, football, league, member, hamilton, tiger, cats, from, 2013, 2015, formerly, played, university, south, carolina, during, collegiate,. Eric Norwood born May 24 1988 is a former American football defensive end He was most recently a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League CFL He was a member of the Hamilton Tiger Cats of the CFL from 2013 to 2015 He formerly played for the University of South Carolina During his collegiate career he set school career records in tackles for loss 54 5 and quarterback sacks 29 With numerous conference and national honors Norwood is one of the most decorated defensive players in SEC history and has drawn comparisons to James Harrison 1 Norwood was considered a top linebacker prospect for the 2010 NFL Draft he was selected in the fourth round 124 overall by the Carolina Panthers Eric NorwoodNo 92Position Defensive endPersonal informationBorn 1988 05 24 May 24 1988 age 35 Oakland California U S Height 6 ft 0 in 1 83 m Weight 246 lb 112 kg Career informationHigh school North Cobb Kennesaw Georgia College South CarolinaNFL Draft 2010 Round 4 Pick 124Career historyCarolina Panthers 2010 2011 Virginia Destroyers 2012 San Jose SaberCats 2013 Pittsburgh Power 2013 Hamilton Tiger Cats 2013 2015 Saskatchewan Roughriders 2016 Offseason and or practice squad member onlyRoster status ActiveCareer highlights and awards2009 First team All American AP Walter Camp 2009 First team All SEC Coaches AP 2008 First team All SEC Coaches AP 2007 First team All SEC Coaches 2006 First team Freshman All American TSN Career NFL statisticsTotal tackles 24Sacks 1 0Forced fumbles 1Fumble recoveries 0Career Arena statisticsTotal tackles 2Sacks 0 0Player stats at NFL com PFR ArenaFan com Contents 1 High school career 2 College career 3 Professional career 3 1 Pre draft 3 2 Carolina Panthers 3 3 Virginia Destroyers 3 4 San Jose SaberCats 3 5 Pittsburgh Power 3 6 Hamilton Tiger Cats 3 7 Saskatchewan Roughriders 4 References 5 External linksHigh school career EditHe played high school football at North Cobb High School in Acworth Kennesaw Georgia Considered a three star recruit by Rivals com Norwood was listed as the No 34 strongside defensive end prospect nationwide in 2006 2 College career EditNorwood arrived at South Carolina in 2006 and immediately made an impact at the Defensive End position In 13 games as a Freshman he recorded 30 total tackles 9 0 for loss 7 0 sacks and 5 0 quarterback hurries For his efforts Norwood was named First team Freshman All American and All SEC by The Sporting News His 7 0 sacks tied for the team lead while his 5 0 hurries were tops for the team In 2007 Norwood asserted himself as one of the most effective Defensive Ends in college football In 12 games he recorded 69 total tackles 19 5 for loss 6 0 sacks 9 0 quarterback hurries and 3 fumble recoveries He was named First team All SEC by the league s coaches and Second team All SEC by the Associated Press In a Thursday night game against a top 10 Kentucky squad led by Heisman candidate Andre Woodson Norwood turned in one of the most dominant single game performances in NCAA history He returned two fumbles for touchdowns posted 5 total tackles all solo and 1 0 for loss and had two pass deflections The two touchdowns on fumble returns tied an NCAA record After two stellar years at defensive end Norwood moved to Linebacker for his Junior season in 2008 The position change did not affect his performance as he posted 75 tackles 14 5 for loss 9 0 sacks 9 quarterback hurries 2 fumble recoveries and a forced fumble Norwood was named First team All SEC by both the league s coaches and Associated Press After South Carolina s loss in the 2009 Outback Bowl Norwood announced that he planned to enter the 2009 NFL Draft but later changed his mind 3 Norwood s decision to return for his Senior season was a beneficial one for the Gamecocks as he helped lead the team to a 7 6 record and a PapaJohns com Bowl appearance In addition Norwood broke South Carolina s all time sack record by dropping Jevan Snead for a 5 yard loss during the Gamecocks 16 10 victory over Ole Miss The record was previously held by defensive tackle Andrew Provence who had 26 career sacks 4 For the 2009 season Norwood posted 81 tackles 11 5 for loss 7 0 sacks 11 quarterback hurries 3 blocked kicks a forced fumble and a fumble recovery In October 2009 Norwood was selected to The Sporting News midseason All American team 5 Following the conclusion of the 2009 regular season Norwood was named a First team All American by the Associated Press and the Walter Camp Football Foundation 6 7 Professional career EditPre draft Edit Pre draft measurables Height Weight 40 yard dash 10 yard split 20 yard split 20 yard shuttle Three cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press Wonderlic6 ft 0 7 8 in 1 85 m 242 lb 110 kg 4 71 s 1 58 s 2 69 s 4 23 s 7 08 s 36 1 2 in 0 93 m 9 ft 7 in 2 92 m 21 reps xAll values from 2010 NFL Combine 8 Carolina Panthers Edit After being selected by the Carolina Panthers in the 2010 NFL Draft Norwood rarely saw the field 9 He was released by the Panthers during the 2012 preseason Virginia Destroyers Edit Norwood played for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League in 2012 until the collapse of the league San Jose SaberCats Edit Norwood was assigned to the San Jose SaberCats of the Arena Football League in 2013 Pittsburgh Power Edit On June 10 2013 Norwood was traded by the SaberCats along with Michael Diaz to the Pittsburgh Power in exchange for future considerations Hamilton Tiger Cats Edit Norwood played for the Hamilton Tiger Cats of the CFL in the 2013 season starting in the Grey Cup championship game In 3 seasons in with the Ti Cats Norwood amassed 114 tackles in 42 games He was named an East Division All Star following the 2014 season Norwood tore his ACL while playing in the 2015 East Division Final and while he was recovering he was released by the Tiger Cats on May 3 2016 10 Saskatchewan Roughriders Edit On May 8 2016 reports said that Norwood was expected to sign with the Saskatchewan Roughriders CFL and he officially signed with the club the following day 11 His recovery took longer than anticipated and he only played in two games for the Riders in 2016 Following the season at age 28 Norwood announced he was retiring from professional football 12 References Edit Detillier Mike May 30 2009 SEC getting better at linebacker Houma Today Rivals com Strongside defensive ends 2006 Rivals com 2006 01 30 Haney Travis 2009 01 06 Norwood decides to stay at USC Charleston Post and Courier Archived from the original on 2012 07 24 Person Joseph 2009 09 25 Norwood stakes his claim to history The State Archived from the original on 2009 09 28 SN s midseason All Americans Defense Sporting News October 20 2009 archived from the original on October 24 2009 retrieved October 22 2009 Norwood Named A P First team All American Norwood Named First team All American NFL Draft scout 2010 NFL Draft Listing Pro Football Reference com Retrieved 2023 05 13 Ticats release Norwood Esks drop Grigsby TSN 2016 05 03 Retrieved 2016 05 04 Eric Norwood signs with Riders CFL ca 2016 05 09 Retrieved 2016 12 07 Riders Norwood retires after four seasons CFL ca 2016 12 06 Retrieved 2016 12 07 External links EditSouth Carolina Gamecocks bio Hamilton Tiger Cats bio Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Eric Norwood amp oldid 1168591638, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
